New Member

[cafdfw]

I just recently found this forum and think it's very interesting.

I'm not sure if this is the proper venue for an introduction. If this is the wrong place I apologize and hope it's moved to the proper location or removed if necessarily.
(This is my second attempt to post an intro. I hope it doesn't double post, but it doesn't look like it will. I registered, but don't think I was properly logged in and lost what I wrote)

My name is Harlan and I'm 52 years old. I've been an aviation enthusiast all of my life and especially interested in WWII military aviation. I joined the Commemorative Air Force (then known as The Confederate Air Force) in 1997 and became active in a local unit near the Dallas/Ft Worth Texas Wing (unit) as the newsletter editor and Wing photographer for several years. I contracted spine disease a couple of years ago, and haven't been as active, but I have many photos of currently flying WWII aircraft that I took in the years I was active- (many air-to-air)

Our unit operates a Navy R4D (Army designated C47) BT-13/15, Stinson L-5, Stearman biplane, a privately owned T-6 Texas, and a Stinson Reliant V-77 that saw service with the Royal Navy as a coastal patrol aircraft. I was a crew chief for the R4D and was also fortunate to attend many air shows over the years in all of our aircraft. We also hangared the CAF's Goodyear built FG-1D Corsair.

While in the CAF I was also fortunate to meet and get to know several legends of aviation - Most whom were also CAF 'colonels' (members)
Sadly many of them having come from the Greatest Generation have now passed.

I'm also very interested in all aspects of WWII History. I have a small collection of American, and some German WWII vintage small arms and gear. I'm a moderator for a vintage military weapons forum that uses Vbulletin software, so the format here is somewhat similar.

I hope that I may be able to contribute some here after I become more accustomed, and until then I'll read the threads more and try to find myself around.

Thanks,
~ Harlan

[Nick Beale]

Welcome to TOCH, Harlan.